# Sulphur Springs, New Mexico

Sulphur Springs in New Mexico. 189°F (87°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Rio Arriba County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/new-mexico/sulphur-springs-3
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Sulphur Springs?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 189°F, hot enough to burn skin. It's a short walk from the road. It's on National Park Service land.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 189°F (87°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 1.9 (Strongly Acidic) |
| Total dissolved solids | 1,730 mg/L |
| Elevation | 8,267 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.5 mi from the nearest road (Sulphur Canyon Road) |
| Land | Valles Caldera National Preserve, National Park Service |
| County | Rio Arriba County |
| Nearest town | Santa Teresa |
| Coordinates | 35.90800, -106.61500 |
| Best months to soak | January, December, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | SAN ANTONIO CAMPGROUND, 2.3 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 189°F, the source water at Sulphur Springs is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

## About Sulphur Springs

Sulphur Springs is a scalding, strongly acidic thermal area in Valles Caldera National Preserve, Rio Arriba County, managed by the National Park Service. Water near 190 degrees and a pH under 2, about as acidic as stomach acid. It is a place to look at from a safe distance. Public access is open. The 1949 sample is heavy with iron and sulfate.

Half a mile from Sulphur Canyon Road, in high country above 8,000 feet. Heavy snow, over four feet a year. The climate is wet by New Mexico standards. The land designation on record is National Conservation Area within the preserve. San Antonio Campground is about two miles away. Cold on average through the year.

Scalding and acidic. Keep out of the water and keep children and dogs back from it. San Antonio Campground is a couple of miles away. The table rates winter best, and deep snow will decide the half mile in. The sample is from 1949.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1949-08-31 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 1.9 |
| Total dissolved solids | 1,730 mg/L |
| Calcium | 45 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 12 mg/L |
| Sodium | 13 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 1,440 mg/L |
| Chloride | 170 mg/L |
| Iron | 92,000 µg/L |

Records this spring holds:
- Most iron of the 257 US springs with an iron reading: 92,000 µg/L (also a US record)
- Most acidic of New Mexico's 47 springs with a pH reading: pH 1.9

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Española](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/new-mexico/espanola), 31 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in New Mexico](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/new-mexico)
- [San Antonio Hot Spring, NM](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/new-mexico/san-antonio-hot-spring): 129°F source, pH 7.7, Short Walk, near Santa Teresa, Rio Arriba County
- [Spence Hot Springs, NM](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/new-mexico/spence-hot-springs): 100°F source, pH 7.3, TDS 224 mg/L, Short Walk, near Jemez Pueblo, Sandoval County
- [San Antonio Warm Spring, NM](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/new-mexico/san-antonio-warm-spring): 101°F source, pH 6.7, Roadside, near Santa Teresa, Rio Arriba County
- [Mccauley Hot Springs, NM](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/new-mexico/mccauley-hot-springs): 99°F source, pH 8.0, Short Walk, near Jemez Pueblo, Sandoval County
- [Soda Dam Hot Springs, NM](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/new-mexico/soda-dam-hot-springs): 117°F source, pH 7.0, Short Walk, near Jemez Pueblo, Sandoval County
- [Jemez Springs, NM](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/new-mexico/jemez-springs): 169°F source, pH 7.3, Roadside, near Jemez Pueblo, Sandoval County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Sulphur Springs?**
Sulphur Springs has a water temperature of 189°F (87°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Sulphur Springs located?**
Sulphur Springs is located in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico at 8,267 feet elevation, near Santa Teresa. Coordinates: 35.9080°N, 106.6150°W.

**How do I get to Sulphur Springs?**
Sulphur Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Sulphur Canyon Road (0.5 mi from the road).

**Is Sulphur Springs free to visit?**
Sulphur Springs has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.

**Can I camp near Sulphur Springs?**
Yes, San Antonio Campground is located nearby (2.3 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Sulphur Springs?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 1.9 (strongly acidic). Total dissolved solids measure 1,730 mg/L.

**Is it safe to soak at Sulphur Springs?**
No, not at the source. The water at Sulphur Springs reaches 189°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals